Macron wants to “finalize” a coalition to send instructors to Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron assured Friday, next to of his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, wanting to "finalize a coalition" of countries ready & send military instructors to Ukraine and confirmed the upcoming start of training of Ukrainian pilots on French Mirage 2000-5 fighters.

“Several of our partners have already given their agreement” and “we will use the coming days to finalize a coalition”, declared the head of state during a press conference at the Elysée, deeming this request from Ukraine “legitimate”.

The Ukrainians have expressed “explicitly the needs for a simple reason”, they are “mobilizing very strongly” and will have to “train tens of thousands of soldiers”, which is “more practical on Ukrainian soil”, the French president stressed.

Emmanuel Macron brushed aside the recurring threats from Russia for whom France is becoming a co-belligerent and runs the risk of seeing its soldiers killed in Ukraine. “Who are we to give in to Russia's invocations or threats ?”, he retorted.

He also called on Russia to immediately release Frenchman Laurent Vinatier, a collaborator of a Swiss NGO accused of collecting intelligence on the Russian army, denouncing “propaganda elements” about him which “do not correspond to reality”.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, President Macron's announcements of military support for Ukraine show that France is “ready to participate directly in the conflict.”

– “With you” –

While he refused to specify the number of Mirage 2000-5s that could be transferred by France, nor the other countries that could do the same, President Macron assured that the training of pilots and mechanics would begin “in the coming days” in France.

President Emmanuel Macron and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky (L) applaud while Ukrainian Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin (C-L) and French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu (C-R) exchange signed documents, June 7, 2024 at the 'Elysée, in Paris © POOL – Yoan VALAT

The two presidents also attended the signing of two agreements with 650 million euros in loans and donations to Ukraine to support in particular the critical energy infrastructures targeted by Russia.

The Franco-German arms group KNDS, which notably manufactures Caesar cannons, has also formalized the creation of a subsidiary in Ukraine.

On the political field, the French president also supported the “effective launch” of negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU “by the end of the month”, despite opposition from Hungary.

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US President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky (l) during a meeting in Paris, June 7, 2024 © AFP – SAUL LOEB

During a midday meeting with his American counterpart Joe Biden in Paris – both were in France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy – Volodymyr Zelensky was also promised new American aid of 225 million dollars.

“The United States will always be with you”, promised the tenant of the White House who has just authorized Ukraine to strike on the other side of the Russian border.

“You did not give in. You did not give in at all”, said Joe Biden, presenting his “apologies” for the months of negotiations preceding the painful adoption by the American Congress of a package of support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of deputies at the National Assembly, June 7, 2024 in Paris © AFP – JULIEN DE ROSA

kyiv continues to ask Europe to increase its military support, while Russia is gaining ground in eastern and northern Ukraine and allies are worried about the consequences of a possible conflict on the conflict. victory of Donald Trump in the next American presidential election.

Speaking to French deputies the day after the ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, the Ukrainian president outlined a black picture of the situation on the Old Continent.

– “Capitulards” –

“Back in Europe , cities are completely destroyed and villages are burned,” declared the Ukrainian president, whose country has been targeted since February 2022 by a deadly Russian offensive.

“Again in Europe, filtration camps, deportations and hatred appear,” he listed, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin “a common enemy” of his country and of Europe.

Volodymyr Zelensky judged that the international peace summit scheduled for June 15 and 16 in Switzerland could bring Ukraine “to the just end of this war.” This conference will bring together more than a hundred countries and organizations, but not Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 7, 2024 in Paris © AFP – JULIEN DE ROSA

The Ukrainian head of state also affirmed that victory was possible, despite Russian advances on the front. “Can we win this battle ? Certainly, yes”, he assured.

Emmanuel Macron accused certain “pacifists” of being “ capitulators”, in an allusion to some of his opponents, notably in France, who reproach him for his position on Ukraine and call for negotiations with Russia.

” We know this camp of pacifists, it is that of the capitulators, it is the spirit of defeat”, he said.

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